I am a faculty member in computer and cognitive sciences at the University of Toronto. My research investigates the intersection of language, cognition, and computation.

Natural language utilizes a finite vocabulary to express an infinite array of ideas. I examine how the lexicon adapts to convey emerging meanings over time and the extent to which the underlying cognitive processes can be understood in computational terms. One main problem I have been interested in is how words acquire new meanings—known as word meaning extension—and whether computational models can reproduce these processes or construct novel word meanings.

In a related line of work, I have been involved in projects that explore cross-language variation in linguistic structures, particularly in semantic categories and word meanings. I also build computational tools to analyze the relationships between language and other domains, such as morality.

Lexicon development and evolution

Cross-language variation

Language-based tools